Rear Wheel Bearings
Rear Wheel Bearings
Is anyone else running Darkside wearing their rear wheel bearings out quicker than MT tire runners?
I have right at 52000 on a 2013 RGU and have wobble from the rear. I figure its the wheel bearings or maybe the swing arm bearings?
I have right at 52000 on a 2013 RGU and have wobble from the rear. I figure its the wheel bearings or maybe the swing arm bearings?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
Wheel bearing
Thank rlh7677.
I do have ABS.
I have checked the front bearing and they are still good. Didn't change them at this time per recommendation of one of the local Indy shops but may still once I get this issue resolved.
I do have ABS.
I have checked the front bearing and they are still good. Didn't change them at this time per recommendation of one of the local Indy shops but may still once I get this issue resolved.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
Bearings
The ABS bearings have not been failing like the non ABS . You can easily check the front bearings by removing the rubber seal, if they are dry or you have any doubts then change them or if you need a front tire soon then just catch them then. If you ride local it's no big deal, they will give you plenty of warning to change them but if you travel then don't take the chance to have to spend a day at a dealer. Good luck !
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
The rear wheel bearing on my '15 **** the bed in just over a year. The most experienced tech I know and respect said it's common. Front wheel bearing was replaced at 22 months.
It's probably not your CT.
It's probably not your CT.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,050
From: St.Louis Mo.
they are crap bearings that harley uses. i got 2400 miles out of my fronts. replaced under warrenty and not installed correctly and lasted about another 2500. junk bearings and techs not knowing how to install new ones. i bought the correct tool and do it myself now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
When you get new bearings, as previously said pop a seal and check them, and if they have what looks like clear vaseline (I've seen a lot of this), clean all that junk out and regrease with a premium name brand synthetic, not the buck.99 house brands. Even if it's $10 a tube or more, that does a lot of bearings. I also toss any wheel bearing with plastic ball spacers, only use bearings with sturdy metal ball cages. I've pulled the plastic types with ground up plastic in the grease. I think the major problem with premature wheel bearing failures is grease, not good enough or enough of it. I only use American brand bearings, though I haven't been able to find some Harley sizes from them and tried AllBalls. Those are Chinese, but evidently a whole lot better (cheaper, too) than Harley's Chinese bearings, with double seals on each side, sturdy metal ball cages, well packed with Chevron synthetic grease, and they have ABS replacements, too. Too bad there aren't any Timkin tapered roller bearing conversions, they just didn't fail if you greased and installed them right.
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Thanks.
Yeah just kept looking and see where bearings fail at any time no matter the mileage.
Put in the All ***** we will see how they go.
Ya'll be safe
Yeah just kept looking and see where bearings fail at any time no matter the mileage.
Put in the All ***** we will see how they go.
Ya'll be safe
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 7
From: Canada
Harley wheel bearings are absolute garbage, Ive had one fail in the front in 3000 miles, huge safety issue I dont know how they get away with selling such garbage that can put lives at risk, Always run darkside never had a rear bearing go, however replacing mine with all ***** at the next tire change, 30000 miles as preventive measure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,886
Likes: 33,014
From: King George, VA
I want to put better bearings on the front wheel of my 16RGU. I checked the 205pp bearing by Timken but I'm not clear on if they will work with the ABS.
Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for?
Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for?